Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23625, John Fancher, New York

SERVICE
New York
Fancher, John
NUMBER
NUMBER S 23625
CONTENTS

24.411 New York
John Fancher
of Westchester in the State of N.Y. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Delavan of the regt. commanded by Col. Holmes in the N.Y. and line for NY ...
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Dec 1833 and sent to Hon. A. Ward. H. Reps.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $200.00 Semestral allowance ending Feb 1834 40.00
$240.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 100

Deed
Letter to Pension Agt 83 Auditor 27 th Decr 1838.
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 th Decr 1837 to the 19 th Feb 1838, the day of her death. Agt Notified 14 March 1839.

State of New York
Westchester County ss On this fourth day of December in the Year of Our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Westchester now sitting at the Court House in White Plains in the said County of Westchester John Hancher — a resident of the Town of Poundridge — in the said County of Westchester aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 That he Entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. That is to say in the month of April and as this Declarant verily believes on or near the first day of April one thousand seven hundred & seventy five he this Declarant enlisted at Poundridge in the said County of Westchester as a private for the term of nine months in a Company commanded by Capt n Jonathan Hatt in Col James Holmes Regiment and from there this Declarant went with his said Company & Regiment to Scenderoga in the said State of New York where they joined Schuyler Brigade he this Declarant was ordered and went with a party of his said Regiment and of said Schuyler Brigade to St Johns in Canada and there joined the American Troops under General Montgomery and this Declarant was present in actual service in the American Army before St Johns at the Surrender of that Place by the British forces where a great number of Prisoners sur-

150219 00044 rendered to the American Troops at that Place - and as this Decla- -rant was then informed a Council of War was held there by the American officers at which it was determined that the Prison- -ers taken at the Surrender of St Johns should be sent to Lan- -caster in the State of Pennsyl- -vania and he this Declarant with the aforesaid party from Ticonderoga were put in charge of said prisoners and returned with them to Ticonderoga afo- -said, and this Declarant with a party of men under the Command of one Captain Edward Mott, came on with said prisoners, and after his aforesaid enlistment of nine months had expired, he this Declarant continued on as one of the Guards over said prison- -ers under the said Captn Edward Mott, till they reached Lancaster in the State of Pen- -sylvania, where said Prisoners were left, and he this Decla- -rant with their said Captain and a remnant of thirteen men returned to Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania where they arrived on or about the first of January in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, where after remaining ten Days, this Declarant was honorably discharged by the

150215_00045 3 Said Captain Edward Elliott on the tenth day of January in the year of our Lord 1776, and received a regular Dis- charge in writing from the said Captain Edward Elliott Mott under his hand which Discharge is herunto annexed Marked "A" and in which Discharge this Declarant had twenty four days given him to return. That during all the time aforesaid from some time in April in the year 1775 to the first day of February 1776, he this Declarant was in actual service in the American under arms (including the time he was returning home as aforesaid) in the Army of the Revolution being nine months & upwards serving out his aforesaid enlistment and the residue of the time guarding said prisoners as aforesaid. That on or about the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thou- -sand seven hundred & seventy- -six, he this Declarant enlisted as a private for six months at Poundridge aforesaid in a Com- -pany commanded by Capt. N. Abijah Gilbert, which Company belonged to Genl Thomas Mott's Regiment in the said County of Westchester, which Company was raised as he understood all the time by order of the Governor of the State of New York and

4 he this Declarant served out as a private in his said last -mentioned Company his last mentioned enlistment of six months in actual service and was honorably discharged verbally by his aforesaid Captain at King Street in the said County of Westchester on the first day of November in the year of our Lord 1776- That he this Declarant during his last mentioned service of six months was with his said Company em- ployed in building the Fort called Fort Indepen- -dence near Kings Bridge and in guarding said Fort till the American Army retreated out to White Plains when they marched up in the night near the Hudson River & got above the British forces and joined Genl M c Clinton's Army then near White Plains in the said County. That on or about the first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven he this Declarant at Bedford in the said County of Westchester enlisted as a private for three months in a Company. Called Grenadiers commanded by Captain Sephamiah Mills of Bedford aforesaid. and said Company were during the said three months principally em-

5
ployed in (Guarding) the Prison House erected at Bedford aforesaid and par- -ting as a Guard upon the lines in the said County of Westchester. That the said Prison House at Bedford aforesaid was used for the temporary reception of British Prisoners & of the suspicious and disaffected persons taken up in said (County) who were committed to said prison House for safe keeping till the Committee of Public Safety could decide upon their cases. That this Declarant served on his actual services in his last mentioned Company as aforesaid his last mentioned Enlistment of three months as a private therein and was honorably discharged. at  Bedford aforesaid on or about the first of December 1777 by his aforesaid Captain verbally but which did not receive any written Discharge. And this Declarant further saith That in the month of April in the year of our Lord one thou- - sand seven hundred and seventy eight (but at what day of said month this Declarant cannot recollect) he enlisted at Poundridge aforesaid as a private for nine months in a Company commanded by Capt Samuel Delavan called Rangers and this Declarant faithfully served on his last mentioned enlistment of nine months in actual service in said last mentioned Company as a private therein, and was honorably dis-

charged at White Plains in the said County of Westchester by his said Captain. (but he did not receive any written Discharge) in the month of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine. That said last mentioned Company consis- -ted at its formation of ninety six men and were principally employed in ranging down the lines in said County of Westchester. wherever their services were required and were constantly exposed to great risk, from surprise by the enemy. That while this Declarant belonged to the said last mentioned Company and about the last of November A D 1778 The said Company under the command of their said Captain were lying at Stephen Ward's House in the Town of Eastchester in the said County of Westchester and in the night the House in which they were, was sur- -rounded, by about three hun- -dred British Soldiers under the Command of one Major Campbell, and after keeping possession of the House and defending for half an hour the British Troops forced an entrance into the said House killed three of the said Company & took twenty four of them pris- -oners, and this Declarant, with

7 a part of said Company forced their way through the enemy & made their escape. - after this Declarant had succeeded in forcing his way out of the house his Gun was shot into two pieces in his hands by a fire from one of the enemy, and another Ball passed by him so close as to cut a Button off of his Waistcoat & rent his shirt. That all this conflict occurred about ten o'clock in the night of a dark & stormy evening. And this Declarant further saith That on or about the first day of August in the year of our Lord 1781. but the precise day he cannot state, he this Declarant at Bedford aforesaid enlisted as a private in a Company raised there by Cap n Thos Hunt in Col c Wissenfels Regiment for four months to go to the Northern part of the State of New York and this Declarant faithfully served out in actual service as a private in said Company. his last mentioned enlistment of four months in said Last mentioned Company and he this Declarant was honorably discharged in the month of December in the year last mentioned at (in the State of New York) Albany by his said Captain Thomas Hunt and received from his said Captain Thomas Hunt a written Discharge which this Declarant has lost & cannot now find.

That this Declarant with his last-mentioned Company, when he first enlisted marched to New York in the said County of Westchester there embarked on board a vessel & went to Albany, then went to Saratoga & joined their said Regiment, and was employed in building a block house there for protecting the surrounding country from the enemy. That this Declarant after his Return home in December 1781, was married and did not again go into service, but always remained a true friend to the cause of Independence. That this Declarant claims a pension 1 st for his nine months actual service as a private in Capt n Jonathan Halls Company as aforesaid and one months service as a volunteer, in company with the Guard over the prisoners to Lancaster as aforesaid making in all ten months actual service as a private in that Campaign
2 nd for six months actual service as a private in Capt n Abijah Gillets Company as aforesaid
3 rd for three months actual service as a private in Capt n Stephen & Millers Company as aforesaid
4 th for nine months actual service in Capt n Samuel Dobsoms

9 Company of Rangers as afore- -said as a private in said Company - 5 th For four months actual service as a private in Capt Thomas Hunt's Company as aforesaid. Making the whole term of time which this Declarant served in the Army of the Revolution as a private in the afore- -said Company's two years and eight months. That this Declarant was born on the fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight at New Canaan in the State of Connecticut where this Declarant resided till he was three years old when he removed with his father to Poundridge in the said County of Westchester where he has ever since resided (except his absences on duty during the Revolution) and now resides - That this Declarant has a Record of his age in his family Bible at home & from which he has made the above statement of his birth and present age That this Declarant was always living at Poundridge aforesaid when he was called into the service as aforesaid, but never

was drafted. That he always volunteered & enlisted as aforesaid and served for himself but never as a substitute. That this declarant recollects the following Regular Officers & Regiments that were with the troops where he served as aforesaid viz Genl C Montgomery -ery, Genl Schuyler, Genl Wooster Genl George Washington, Col Sheldon & McLean's Regiments & Genl Philip Van Cortlandt's Regi- ment. That this Declarant never received but two written Discharges from service one signed by Capn Edward Mott and the other annexed marked "A" as aforesaid and the other given by Capn Thomas Hunt as afore- said and which is lost as aforesaid. That this declarant cannot recollect the precise name of the afore- said Companies to which he belonged as aforesaid but believes they were State Troops belonging to the State of New York or Volunteer Companies from the militia of said State. That this Decla- rant understood at the time that his aforesaid Capn Jonathan Platt, was appointed and acted some part, if not the whole of this Declarant's aforesaid service.

11 in his company - under the orders of Congress. That this declaration is known in his present neighbourhood to the Hon Ezra Lockwood and Horatio Lockwood Esq r both residing in the Town of Poundridge in the said County of Westchester who can testify to this de- -clarants character for veracity, their belief of his age and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State Sworn to and subscribed } John Fancher in open Court the day & year aforesaid N o Bayle Atty West. Com. pleas
"A"
Phila
Philadelphia January 10 1796
This May certify that John Fancher one of the Gard for the Prisoners taken at St Johns in Canada has received his Discharge and is allowed twenty four Days to return and join his Respectable Corps.
Edward Mott Capt of the Gov

State of New York Westchester County } On this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two person -ally appeared in open Court before the Common Pleas of the said County of Westchester now sitting Samuel Young a Resident of the Town of White Plains in the said County who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose and say That he is now aged seventy two years. That he has been well acquainted with John Francher who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding Declaration. That he this Deponent has heard the preceding Declaration read and understands the contents thereof. That this Deponent was a Lieutenant in Capt n Andrew White's Company in Col c Misenfel's Regiment and this Deponent well recollects and therefore states That the said John Francher did serve the four months in the summer & fall of the year 1781 as a private in Capt n Thomas Hunt's Company in the same Regiment of Col c Misenfel's as he has stated in his preceding Declaration and was honor- ably discharged at Albany

at the expiration of his said enlistment as he has therein stated. That there is no other person knowing his vicinity who can give the aforesaid Certificate Sworn & subscribed in open Court the day & year aforesaid } Sam Youngs
N. Bayles Clk
West. Com. Pleas
I certify that Samuel Youngs, who swore to and subscribed a true affidavit before me is a credible person & his preceding affidavit is just to the best of my knowledge N. Bayles Clk
State of New York, Westchester County ss. We Ezra Lockwood and Horatio Lockwood, both residing in the Town of Poundridge in the said County of Westchester hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Fancher of Poundridge aforesaid who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding Declaration. That we believe him to be seventy four years of age. That he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. And we do further certify that we have known & liked a near neighbour to the said John Fancher for the last forty years, and know him to be a man of good character and consider his preceding Declaration entitled to full credit
Ezra Lockwood
Horatio Lockwood
Sworn & subscribed in open Court the day & year aforesaid }
N. Bayles Clk. West. Com. Pleas

And the said Court Do hereby Declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interroga- -tories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant John Fancher was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states And the Court further Certifies That it appears to them that Ezra Lock- wood and Horatio Lockwood who have signed the preceding Certificate are each of them Residents of the Town of Poundridge in the County of Westchester and that their state- -ment is entitled to credit
I Nathaniel Bayle Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Westchester and State of New York Do hereby Certify That the foregoing contains the origi- -nal proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Fancher of the Town of Poundridge in the said County of Westchester for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal at Office this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
N Bayle Clerk of said Court

Westchester County ss. I James Brown a Clergyman residing in the Town of Poundridge in the County of Westchester aforesaid hereby Certify That I am well acquainted with John Fancher who has subscribed & sworn to the preceding Declaration. That I believe him to be seventy four years of age on the 4 th day of December last That he is reputed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and That I concis in that opinion, and I do hereby further Certify That the said John Fancher is a man of good character and well known to me as a man of Truth and veracity
Sworn & subscribed in open Court this 24 th of September 1833
James Brown
M c Bayles Clk
And the said Court certify That it ap- pears to them That James Brown who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Poundridge in the said County and is a Credible Person and That his statement is entitled to Credit. I Nathaniel Bayle, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & the County of Westchester do hereby certify That the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of sup- plying a Clergyman's Certificate to the proceeding application of John Fancher for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and seal of office this 24 th of September 1833.
M c Bayles Clk

1215_00000 C8022856 John Fancher Westchester Co. New York
j- roma
Mr Ward
J. W. Tompkins White Plains Westchester Co N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Court of Claims
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Fancher of West Chester
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol April 75 9 Pvt Col Holmes 74 years Witnesses   To April 76 Genl Montgomery West Ch 2 Living   End May 76 6 Br Genl Thomas Lucas Co Traditional Evidence   Sept 77 3 Capt Delavan   End April 78 9 Major Campbell   Nov 78 Col Wiser   End Aug 81 4 Capt Hunt  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for each service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrases about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the time, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
John C. Ashton

October 26, 1932.
Mrs. Raymond D. Culver Pawling New York.
BA-J/ILL John Fancher S. 23625
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of John Thomas, who was a private in the Breen Mountain Boys under Colonel Ethan Allen, and John Fancher, of New York, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A search of the records fails to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service of the John Thomas as described by you.
The record of John Fancher given below is obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 23625, based upon his service in that war, and is the record of the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
John Fancher was born September 4, 1758 in New Canaan, Connecticut and moved, when three years of age, to Poundridge, Westchester County, New York.
While residing in Poundridge, New York, he volunteered and served as private in the New York troops as follows: from April 8, 1775, in Captain Jonathan Platt's Company, Colonel James Holmes' Regiment, was on the expedition to Ticonderoga and present at the surrender of St. Johns, Canada, following which he was one of the guard under Captain Edward Mott that conducted the prisoners to the state of Pennsylvania, and was discharged January 10, 1776; from about May 1, 1776, six months in Captain Abijah Gilbert's Company, Colonel Thomas Thomas' Regiment, during which period he assisted in erecting Fort Independence; from September 1, 1777, three months in Captain Zephaniah Mills' Company; from April, 1778, nine months in Captain Samuel Delavan's Company, called rangers, during which period he was

Stephen Ward in a severe encounter with the British in the night late in November at "Ward's House" in East Chester, when his gun was broken by a shot from the enemy and a bullet passed through his waistcoat and shirt as he made his escape, others of his company being killed and many taken prisoners; and from August 1, 1781, four months in Captain Thomas Hunt's Company, Colonel Weisenfels Regiment.
given as Lt. Col. in Heilman
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 4, 1832, while residing in Poundridge, Westchester County, New York.
At the time of his application for pension, John Fancher stated that "after his return home in December 1781, he was married;" but he did not give the date or name of his wife.
He died February 19, 1838, survived by children, whose names are not given.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

Probation 23625 INVALID.
File No. 28625-
John Fancher Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index: Vol. 9 , Page 130
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1932 - Oct. 26 - Hist: to Mrs. Raymond D. Culver - d.L.L.

Feb 27. W Evans.

0215_00000 TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office, February 22, 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Eight of the nine children of John Francker, a Pensioner on the Roll of the New York City Agency, at the rate of eighty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, have been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept., 1837, to the 19 th February, 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
William B. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Application of John Fancher for a pension under act of Congress of 7 th June 1832
22850
Adm d 24 mo p m 80 $
Mr. Ward

State of New York Wutchester County 3/ On this nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Two personally appeared before me Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Wutchester aforesaid Amos Marshall of the town of Poundridge in said County who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath Depose that he is and say, Seventy Seven years old that he is well acquainted with John Gamble of the town of Poundridge in said County & that the said John Gamble enlisted under Captain Jonathan Platt in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy five as a private in said Company for Nine Months & was attached to Colonel James Nelsons Regiment that this was about the first of April in said year & this Deponent enlisted at the same time under said Captain Jonathan Platt for the said term of Nine Months & they marched from the said town of Poundridge in said County to Piquendroye in the State of New York & there joined the American Army that the said John Gamble after the Surrender of St Johns in Canada returned back to Piquendroye with the Prisoners captured at said place and from there started for some place in Penn- sylvania as this Deponent then understood and this Deponent well remembers the said John Gamble enlisted during the revolution- ary war under Captain Samuel Bolavan for the term of Nine Months as a private in said Company & this Deponent also enlisted at the same time for the term of Nine Months and both served out this term of said enlistment faithfully & was honorably dis- charged at White Plains in said County that

While in the last mentioned service at Stephen Wards House in the town of Panton in said County they were attacked by a British force in the night and after defending themselves for some time the British force succeeding in forcing an entrance into the House and took some of our Company prisoners that this Deponent & the said John Garrison both made their escape by fighting their way through the enemy and that the said John Garrison as well as this Deponent was in the actual service and under arms until they had both secured out the time of their enlistment but this Deponent cannot say with certainty what year but well recollects the service and remembers well that the said John Garrison was one of the best of Soldiers and a true friend to the Independence he Sworn to and subscribed Anson X Marshall the day and year aforesaid Mark before me Ezra Lockwood, Judge
Westchester County ss. I. Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County before whom the preceding affidavit was taken. Do hereby certify That Anson Marshall who has made & subscribed the pre- ceding affidavit is well known to me and is a credible person Dated December 19 th 1832 Ezra Lockwood

State of New York Wutchester County } b
Nathan Lockwood of the town of Poundridge county & state aforesaid being duly sworn doth depose and say that on or about the month of April 1775 John Farnham of the town county & state aforesaid enlisted into the army of the united States in the revolutionary War for the term of Nine Months in a company commanded by Captain Jonathan Platt in Colonel James Holms Regiment that this deponent enlisted at the same time and marched in company with the said John Farnham to Poundinga and was there Honorably discharged and hereby believes the said Farnham was also Honorably discharged being in the same company till after the capture of St Johns in Canada & after the said Farnham had served out the term of his Enlistment this deponent understood that the said Farnham volunteered & marched with the Prisoners to Lancaster in Pennsylvania This deponent well recollects the said John Farnham enlisted again for Nine Months under Captain Samuel Silevan for the term of Nine Months in the year 1778 that while in said company

John Garrison at the Battle of Ward's House in said County of Westchester this before me taken Prisoner & Carried to New York and put into the Sugar House and will recollect that the said John Garrison was in said engagement at Ward's House & this before me has always understood & vividly believes the said John Garrison served out the term of both the enlistments & was honorably discharged and this before me knows that the said John Garrison was a good & faithful Soldier and
from the with not Sworn to and subscribed the 24 th day of December 1832
Nathan Lockwood
before me Ezra Lockwood One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County Westchester County to Ezra Lockwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County before whom the preceding affidavit was taken and subscribed. Do hereby certify that Nathan Lockwood who made & subscribed the preceding affidavit is well known to me to be a credible person Date, December 24 th 1832 Ezra Lockwood
State of New York Westchester County } ss. I, Nathan C. Rayles Clerk of the said County of Westchester and of the Court of Common Pleas of the same County Do hereby certify that Ezra Lockwood before whom the preceding affidavits of Simon Marshall & Nathan Lockwood were sworn & subscribed was on the several days of the date of said affidavits one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Westchester duly commissioned & qualified according to law to take said affidavits I do further certify that Samuel Lockwood with the handwriting of said Ezra Lockwood believe the signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 19 th day of February 1833- N. C. Rayles Clerk of said Court

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON August 1, 1932.
RECEIVED OCT 21 1932
IN REPLY REFER TO: BA-J/MMHF/ILL YOUR FILE REFERENCE:
Mrs. Raymond D. Culver Franklin Pawling Dutchess Co. New York.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter herewith, in which you request the records of a number of soldiers of the Revolution and War of 1812.
Because of the very large number of requests similar to yours, and the lack of a clerical force available for furnishing Revolutionary War data, it has not been possible to make a series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of that war.
Kindly designate two soldiers whose histories you most desire, give their full names and as much as possible of the following data: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Upon receipt of this information, a careful search of the records will be made in your behalf and the histories furnished, if on file.
Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.
may have enlisted from Vermont.
3 - not as
(1) John Thomas - Private in Green Mt Boys under Col Ethan Allen & Col Seth Warner. I should like to know to where his pension was paid and his place of enlistment etc.
(2) John Facher only possibly Montgomery Co N.Y. any information appreciated -